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  • C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • C09K5/00—Heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants; Materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion
  • C09K5/02—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used
  • C09K5/04—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used the change of state being from liquid to vapour or vice versa
  • C09K5/041—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used the change of state being from liquid to vapour or vice versa for compression-type refrigeration systems
  • C09K5/044—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used the change of state being from liquid to vapour or vice versa for compression-type refrigeration systems comprising halogenated compounds
  • C09K5/045—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used the change of state being from liquid to vapour or vice versa for compression-type refrigeration systems comprising halogenated compounds containing only fluorine as halogen
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  • C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
  • C10M171/00—Lubricating compositions characterised by purely physical criteria, e.g. containing as base-material, thickener or additive, ingredients which are characterised exclusively by their numerically specified physical properties, i.e. containing ingredients which are physically well-defined but for which the chemical nature is either unspecified or only very vaguely indicated
  • C10M171/008—Lubricant compositions compatible with refrigerants
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  • C09K2205/00—Aspects relating to compounds used in compression type refrigeration systems
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  • C09K2205/00—Aspects relating to compounds used in compression type refrigeration systems
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  • C09K2205/126—Unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbons
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  • C10M2203/00—Organic non-macromolecular hydrocarbon compounds and hydrocarbon fractions as ingredients in lubricant compositions
  • C10M2203/06—Well-defined aromatic compounds
  • C10M2203/065—Well-defined aromatic compounds used as base material
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  • C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
  • C10M2203/00—Organic non-macromolecular hydrocarbon compounds and hydrocarbon fractions as ingredients in lubricant compositions
  • C10M2203/10—Petroleum or coal fractions, e.g. tars, solvents, bitumen
  • C10M2203/1006—Petroleum or coal fractions, e.g. tars, solvents, bitumen used as base material
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  • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
  • C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
  • C10M2205/00—Organic macromolecular hydrocarbon compounds or fractions, whether or not modified by oxidation as ingredients in lubricant compositions
  • C10M2205/02—Organic macromolecular hydrocarbon compounds or fractions, whether or not modified by oxidation as ingredients in lubricant compositions containing acyclic monomers
  • C10M2205/028—Organic macromolecular hydrocarbon compounds or fractions, whether or not modified by oxidation as ingredients in lubricant compositions containing acyclic monomers containing aliphatic monomers having more than four carbon atoms
  • C10M2205/0285—Organic macromolecular hydrocarbon compounds or fractions, whether or not modified by oxidation as ingredients in lubricant compositions containing acyclic monomers containing aliphatic monomers having more than four carbon atoms used as base material
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  • C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
  • C10M2207/00—Organic non-macromolecular hydrocarbon compounds containing hydrogen, carbon and oxygen as ingredients in lubricant compositions
  • C10M2207/28—Esters
  • C10M2207/283—Esters of polyhydroxy compounds
  • C10M2207/2835—Esters of polyhydroxy compounds used as base material
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  • C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
  • C10M2207/00—Organic non-macromolecular hydrocarbon compounds containing hydrogen, carbon and oxygen as ingredients in lubricant compositions
  • C10M2207/28—Esters
  • C10M2207/32—Esters of carbonic acid
  • C10M2207/325—Esters of carbonic acid used as base material
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
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  • C10M2209/00—Organic macromolecular compounds containing oxygen as ingredients in lubricant compositions
  • C10M2209/02—Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
  • C10M2209/04—Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds containing monomers having an unsaturated radical bound to an alcohol or ester thereof; bound to an aldehyde, ketonic, ether, ketal or acetal radical
  • C10M2209/043—Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds containing monomers having an unsaturated radical bound to an alcohol or ester thereof; bound to an aldehyde, ketonic, ether, ketal or acetal radical used as base material
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  • C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
  • C10M2209/00—Organic macromolecular compounds containing oxygen as ingredients in lubricant compositions
  • C10M2209/10—Macromolecular compoundss obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
  • C10M2209/103—Polyethers, i.e. containing di- or higher polyoxyalkylene groups
  • C10M2209/1033—Polyethers, i.e. containing di- or higher polyoxyalkylene groups used as base material
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
  • C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
  • C10M2213/00—Organic macromolecular compounds containing halogen as ingredients in lubricant compositions
  • C10M2213/06—Perfluoro polymers
  • C10M2213/0606—Perfluoro polymers used as base material
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
  • C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
  • C10M2221/00—Organic macromolecular compounds containing sulfur, selenium or tellurium as ingredients in lubricant compositions
  • C10M2221/04—Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
  • C10M2221/0405—Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds used as base material
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
  • C10N—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS C10M RELATING TO LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS
  • C10N2020/00—Specified physical or chemical properties or characteristics, i.e. function, of component of lubricating compositions
  • C10N2020/09—Characteristics associated with water
  • C10N2020/097—Refrigerants
  • C10N2020/099—Containing Chlorofluorocarbons
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
  • C10N—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS C10M RELATING TO LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS
  • C10N2020/00—Specified physical or chemical properties or characteristics, i.e. function, of component of lubricating compositions
  • C10N2020/09—Characteristics associated with water
  • C10N2020/097—Refrigerants
  • C10N2020/101—Containing Hydrofluorocarbons
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
  • C10N—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS C10M RELATING TO LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS
  • C10N2020/00—Specified physical or chemical properties or characteristics, i.e. function, of component of lubricating compositions
  • C10N2020/09—Characteristics associated with water
  • C10N2020/097—Refrigerants
  • C10N2020/103—Containing Hydrocarbons
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
  • C10N—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS C10M RELATING TO LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS
  • C10N2020/00—Specified physical or chemical properties or characteristics, i.e. function, of component of lubricating compositions
  • C10N2020/09—Characteristics associated with water
  • C10N2020/097—Refrigerants
  • C10N2020/105—Containing Ammonia
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
  • C10N—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS C10M RELATING TO LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS
  • C10N2020/00—Specified physical or chemical properties or characteristics, i.e. function, of component of lubricating compositions
  • C10N2020/09—Characteristics associated with water
  • C10N2020/097—Refrigerants
  • C10N2020/106—Containing Carbon dioxide
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
  • C10N—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS C10M RELATING TO LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS
  • C10N2030/00—Specified physical or chemical properties which is improved by the additive characterising the lubricating composition, e.g. multifunctional additives
  • C10N2030/56—Boundary lubrication or thin film lubrication
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
  • C10N—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS C10M RELATING TO LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS
  • C10N2040/00—Specified use or application for which the lubricating composition is intended
  • C10N2040/30—Refrigerators lubricants or compressors lubricants
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
  • Y02P20/00—Technologies relating to chemical industry
  • Y02P20/10—Process efficiency

Definitions

• the present invention relates to compositions and processes for use in heat transfer, refrigeration and air-conditioning systems to improve the oil return, lubrication, energy efficiency, or reduce compressor wear, by using perfluoropolyether as an additive in the refrigerant or heat transfer fluid composition.
• Lubricants have been used with the fluids in the heat transfer, refrigeration and air-conditioning systems to provide lubrication to the compressor and other moving parts and reduce compressor wear.
• refrigerants or heat transfer fluids are compatible with all the lubricants.
• many HFC refrigerants or heat transfer fluids have poor miscibility or poor dispersibility with commonly used lubricants, such as mineral oil and alkylbenzene.
• the heat transfer fluids can not readily transport mineral oil lubricants through the heat exchangers, the lubricant oils accumulate on the surface of the heat exchange coils, resulting in poor oil return, poor heat exchange, low energy efficiency and the accelerated wear and tear of the compressors.
• the refrigeration and air conditioning industries have had to resort to the use of more expensive and more difficult to use synthetic lubricants such as polyolesters and polyalkylene glycols.
• the present invention relates to a composition including: (1) a refrigerant or heat transfer fluid selected from the group consisting of saturated fluorocarbons, unsaturated fluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, fluoroethers, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, dimethyl ether, ammonia and combinations thereof, and (2) perfluoropolyether.
• This invention further relates to a composition comprising: (1) mineral oil, and (2) perfluoropolyether.
• This invention further relates to methods of using the refrigeration or heat transfer fluid compositions of the present invention for producing refrigeration or heating.
• This invention further relates to processes for the transfer of heat from a heat source to a heat sink wherein the compositions of the present invention serve as heat transfer fluids.
• This invention further relates to processes of using the perfluoropolyether to maintain or improve the oil return, lubrication, or energy efficiency of the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat transfer system.
• the refrigerants or heat transfer fluids of used in the present invention are selected from the group consisting of saturated fluorocarbons, unsaturated fluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, fluoroethers, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, dimethyl ether, ammonia and combinations thereof.
• Preferred refrigerants or heat transfer fluids include saturated and unsaturated fluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons.
• Representative saturated fluorocarbon refrigerants or heat transfer fluids include tetrafluoromethane (PFC-14), hexafluoroethane (PFC-116), octafluoropropane (PFC-218), decafluorobutane (PFC-31-10), fluoromethane (HFC-41), difluoromethane (HFC-32), trifluoromethane (HFC-23), fluoroethane (HFC-161), 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a), 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HFC-143a), 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a), 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134), 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane (HFC-236fa), 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-hept
• R410A a blend of 50 wt. % of HFC-32 and 50 wt. % of HFC-125
• R417A a blend of 46.6 wt. % of HFC-125, 50 wt. % of HFC-134a and 3.4 wt. % of n-butane
• R-422A a blend of 85.1 wt. % of HFC-125, 11.5 wt. % of HFC-134a, and 3.4 wt. % of isobutane
• R-407C a blend of 23 wt.
• HFC-32 25 wt. % of HFC-125 and 52 wt. % of HFC-134a
• R-507A a blend of 50% R-125 and 50% R-143a
• R-508A a blend of 39% HFC-23 and 61% PFC-116
• Representative unsaturated fluorocarbon refrigerants or heat transfer fluids include 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-1-propene, 1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoro-1-propene, 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoro-1-propene, 1,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene, 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene, 1,1,2,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene, 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene, 1,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene, 2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene, 3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene, 1,1,2-trifluoro-1-propene, 1,1,3-trifluoro-1-propene, 1,2,3-trifluoro-1-propene, 1,3,3-trifluoro-1-prop
• chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants or heat transfer fluids include trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11), dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12), 1,1,1-trichlorotrifluoroethane (CFC-113a), 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane (CFC-113), and chloropentafluoroethane (CFC-115).
• hydrochlorofluorocarbon refrigerants or heat transfer fluids include chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22), 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123), 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC-124) and 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane (HCFC-142b).
• Representative fluoroether refrigerants or heat transfer fluids include CF 3 OCHF 2 , CF 3 OCH 3 , CF 3 OCH 2 F, CHF 2 OCHF 2 , cyclo-(CF 2 CF 2 CF 2 O—), CF 3 CF 2 OCH 3 , CHF 2 OCHFCF 3 , CHF 2 CF 2 OCH 3 , C 4 F 9 OCH 3 , C 4 F 9 OC 2 H 5 , CF 3 OCF 3 , CF 3 OC 2 F 5 , C 2 F 5 OC 2 F 5 and CF 3 OCF(CF 3 )CF(CF 3 )OCF 3 .
• hydrocarbon refrigerants or heat transfer fluids include methane, ethane, propane, cyclopropane, propylene, n-butane, cyclobutane, 2-methylpropane, methylcyclopropane, n-pentane, cyclopentane, 2-methylbutane, methylcyclobutane, 2,2-dimethylpropane and dimethylcyclopropane isomers.
• perfluoropolyethers as an additive which is miscible with chlorofluorocarbon and hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants or heat transfer fluids.
• a common characteristic of perfluoropolyethers is the presence of perfluoroalkyl ether moieties.
• Perfluoropolyether is synonymous to perfluoropolyalkylether. Other synonymous terms frequently used include “PFPE”, “PFAE”, “PFPE oil”, “PFPE fluid”, and “PFPAE”.
• KRYTOX available from DuPont is a perfluoropolyether having the formula of CF 3 —(CF 2 ) 2 —O—[CF(CF 3 )—CF 2 —O]j′-R′f. In the formula, j′ is 2-100, inclusive and R′f is CF 2 CF 3 , a C3 to C6 perfluoroalkyl group, or combinations thereof.
• FOMBLIN-Y can have the formula of CF 3 O(CF 2 CF(CF 3 )—O—) m′ (CF 2 —O—) n′ —R 1f . Also suitable is CF 3 O[CF 2 CF(CF 3 )O] m′ (CF 2 CF 2 O) o′ (CF 2 O) n′ —R 1f .
• R 1f is CF 3 , C 2 F 5 , C 3 F 7 , or combinations of two or more thereof; (m′+n′) is 8-45, inclusive; and m/n is 20-1000, inclusive; o′ is 1; (m′+n′+o′) is 8-45, inclusive; m′/n′ is 20-1000, inclusive.
• FOMBLIN-Z can have the formula of CF 3 O(CF 2 CF 2 —O—) p′ (CF 2 —O) q′ CF 3 where (p′+q′) is 40-180 and p′/q′ is 0.5-2, inclusive.
• DEMNUM fluids another family of PFPE available from Daikin Industries, Japan, can also be used. It can be produced by sequential oligomerization and fluorination of 2,2,3,3-tetrafluorooxetane, yielding the formula of F—[(CF 2 ) 3 —O] t′ —R 2f where R 2f is CF 3 , C 2 F 5 , or combinations thereof and t′ is 2-200, inclusive.
• the two end groups of the perfluoropolyether can be functionalized or unfunctionalized.
• the end group can be branched or straight chain perfluoroalkyl radical end groups.
• Examples of such perfluoropolyethers can have the formula of C r′ F (2r′+1) -A-C r′ F (2r′+1) in which each r′ is independently 3 to 6;
• A can be 0-(CF(CF 3 )CF 2 —O) w′ , O—(CF 2 —O) x′ (CF 2 CF 2 —O) y′ , O—(C 2 F 4 —O) w′ , O—(C 2 F 4 —O) x′ (C 3 F 6 —O) y′ , O—(CF(CF 3 )CF 2 —O) x′ (CF 2 —O) y′ , O—(CF(CF 3 ) —O) x′ (CF 2 —O) y′ ,
• halogen atoms include, but are not limited to, F(CF(CF 3 )—CF 2 —O) 9 —CF 2 CF 3 , F(CF(CF 3 )—CF 2 —O) 9 —CF(CF 3 ) 2 , and combinations thereof.
• up to 30% of the halogen atoms can be halogens other than fluorine, such as, for example, chlorine atoms.
• the two end groups of the perfluoropolyether can also be functionalized.
• a typical functionalized end group can be selected from the group consisting of esters, hydroxyls, amines, amides, cyanos, carboxylic acids and sulfonic acids
• ester end groups include —COOCH 3 , —COOCH 2 CH 3 , —CF 2 COOCH 3 , —CF 2 COOCH 2 CH 3 , —CF 2 CF 2 COOCH 3 , —CF 2 CF 2 COOCH 2 CH 3 , —CF 2 CH 2 COOCH 3 , —CF 2 CF 2 CH 2 COOCH 3 , —CF 2 CH 2 CH 2 COOCH 3 , —CF 2 CH 2 CH 2 COOCH 3 , —CF 2 CF 2 CH 2 CH 2 COOCH 3 .
• Representative hydroxyl end groups include —CF 2 OH, —CF 2 CF 2 OH, —CF 2 CH 2 OH, —CF 2 CF 2 CH 2 OH, —CF 2 CH 2 CH 2 OH, —CF 2 CF 2 CH 2 CH 2 OH.
• Representative amine end groups include —CF 2 NR 1 R 2 , —CF 2 CF 2 NR 1 R 2 , —CF 2 CH 2 NR 1 R 2 , —CF 2 CF 2 CH 2 NR 1 R 2 , —CF 2 CH 2 CH 2 NR 1 R 2 , CF 2 CH 2 CH 2 NR 1 R 2 , CF 2 CF 2 CH 2 CH 2 NR 1 R 2 , wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently H, CH 3 , or CH 2 CH 3 .
• Representative amide end groups include —CF 2 C(O)NR 1 R 2 , —CF 2 CF 2 C(O)NR 1 , R 2 , —CF 2 CH 2 C(O)NR 1 R 2 , —CF 2 CF 2 CH 2 C(O)NR 1 , R 2 , —CF 2 CH 2 CH 2 C(O)NR 1 R 2 , —CF 2 CF 2 CH 2 CH 2 C(O)NR 1 R 2 , wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently H, CH 3 , or CH 2 CH 3 .
• Representative cyano end groups include —CF 2 CN, —CF 2 CF 2 CN, —CF 2 CH 2 CN, —CF 2 CF 2 CH 2 CN, —CF 2 CH 2 CH 2 CN, —CF 2 CF 2 CH 2 CH 2 CN.
• Representative carboxylic acid end groups include —CF 2 COOH, —CF 2 CF 2 COOH, —CF 2 CH 2 COOH, —CF 2 CF 2 CH 2 COOH, —CF 2 CH 2 CH 2 COOH, —CF 2 CF 2 CH 2 CH 2 COOH.
• Representative sulfonic acid end groups include —S(O)(O)OR 3 , S(O)(O)R 4 , —CF 2 O S(O)(O)OR 3 , —CF 2 CF 2 O S(O)(O)OR 3 , —CF 2 CH 2 O S(O)(O)OR 3 , —CF 2 CF 2 CH 2 O S(O)(O)OR 3 , —CF 2 CH 2 CH 2 O S(O)(O)OR 3 , —CF 2 CF 2 CH 2 CH 2 O S(O)(O)OR 3 , —CF 2 S(O)(O)OR 3 , —CF 2 S(O)(O)OR 3 , —CF 2 CF 2 S(O)(O)OR 3 , —CF 2 CH 2 S(O)(O)OR 3 —CF 2 CF 2 CH 2 S(O)(O)OR 3 , —CF 2 CH 2 S(O)(O)OR 3 , —CF
• the refrigerant-perfluoropolyether additive combination of this invention improves performance of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat transfer system in one or more aspects. In one aspect, it enables adequate oil return to the compressor such that oil levels are maintained at the proper operating level by preventing accumulation of oil in the heat exchanger coils. In another aspect, the refrigerant-perfluoropolyether may also improves lubrication performance of mineral oil and synthetic lubricant oils. In yet another aspect, the refrigerant-perfluoropolyether also improves heat transfer efficiency and thus the energy efficiency. The refrigerant-perfluoropolyether has also been shown to reduce friction and wear in boundary lubrication, which is expected to result in longer compressor life. The advantages listed above are not intended to be exhausting.
• an effective amount of perfluoropolyether in this application means an amount of perfluoropolyether additive to provide sufficient oil return to the compressor in order to maintain or improve lubrication or energy efficiency performance or both, where said amount of perfluoropolyether is adjusted by one of ordinary skill to a level appropriate to the individual refrigeration/heat transfer system (coil, compressor, etc.) and refrigerant employed.
• the amount of perfluoropolyether is less than 40% by weight relative to the refrigerant or heat transfer fluid.
• the amount of perfluoropolyether additive is less than about 20-30 wt. % relative to the refrigerant or heat transfer fluid. More preferably, the perfluoropolyether additive is less than about 10 wt. % relative to the refrigerant or heat transfer fluid. More preferably, the perfluoropolyether additive is less than about 1 to about 2 wt. % relative to the refrigerant or heat transfer fluid. More preferably, the perfluoropolyether additive is between about 0.01 wt. % and 1.0 wt. % relative to the refrigerant or heat transfer fluid. Most preferably, the perfluoropolyether additive is between about 0.03 and 0.80 wt. % relative to the refrigerant or heat transfer fluid.
• compositions of the present invention may further comprise about 0.01 weight percent to about 5 weight percent of a stabilizer, free radical scavenger or antioxidant.
• a stabilizer free radical scavenger or antioxidant.
• Such other additives include but are not limited to, nitromethane, hindered phenols, hydroxylamines, thiols, phosphites, or lactones. Single additives or combinations may be used.
• refrigeration or air-conditioning system additives may be added, as desired, to compositions of the present invention in order to enhance performance and system stability.
• additives are known in the field of refrigeration and air-conditioning, and include, but are not limited to, anti wear agents, extreme pressure lubricants, corrosion and oxidation inhibitors, metal surface deactivators, free radical scavengers, and foam control agents.
• these additives may be present in the inventive compositions in small amounts relative to the overall composition. Typically concentrations of from less than about 0.1 weight percent to as much as about 3 weight percent of each additive are used. These additives are selected on the basis of the individual system requirements.
• additives include members of the triaryl phosphate family of EP (extreme pressure) lubricity additives, such as butylated triphenyl phosphates (BTPP), or other alkylated triaryl phosphate esters, e.g. Syn-O-Ad 8478 from Akzo Chemicals, tricresyl phosphates and related compounds. Additionally, the metal dialkyl dithiophosphates (e.g. zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (or ZDDP), Lubrizol 1375 and other members of this family of chemicals may be used in compositions of the present invention.
• Other antiwear additives include natural product oils and asymmetrical polyhydroxyl lubrication additives, such as Synergol TMS (International Lubricants).
• stabilizers such as anti oxidants, free radical scavengers, and water scavengers may be employed.
• Compounds in this category can include, but are not limited to, butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) and epoxides.
• Lubricants used in this invention include natural and synthetic lubricant oils.
• a preferred example of natural lubricant oil is mineral oil.
• Other, synthetic lubricant oils including alkylbenzene, polyol ester, polyalkylene glycols, polyvinyl ethers, carbonates and polyalphaolefin may also be used.
• perfluoropolyether is used together with mineral oil. In another aspect of the invention, perfluoropolyether is used together with synthetic lubricant oils.
• the amount of perfluoropolyether is less than 50% by weight relative to the mineral oil.
• the amount of perfluoropolyether is less than 20% by weight relative to the mineral oil. More preferably, the amount of perfluoropolyether is less than 5% by weight relative to the mineral oil. Most preferably, the amount of perfluoropolyether is less than 3 wt. % relative to the mineral oil.
• the refrigeration or heat transfer fluid composition comprises a mineral oil, perfluoropolyether, and a refrigeration or heat transfer fluid selected from the group consisting of R-407C, R-422A, R-417A, R-404A, R-410A, R-507A, R-508A, R422A, R-417A, and HFC-134a.
• the refrigeration or heat transfer fluid composition comprises a perfluoropolyether and an unsaturated fluorocarbon such as 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-1-propene, 1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoro-1-propene, 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoro-1-propene, 1,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene, 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene, 1,1,2,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene, 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene, 1,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene, 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,4-octafluoro-2-butene, 1,1,1,2,4,4,4-heptafluoro-2-butene, or 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene.
• the present invention further relates to a method of using the refrigeration or heat transfer fluid compositions of the present invention for producing refrigeration or heating, wherein the method comprises producing refrigeration by evaporating said composition in the vicinity of a body to be cooled and thereafter condensing said composition; or producing heat by condensing said composition in the vicinity of the body to be heated and thereafter evaporating said composition.
• the present invention further relates to a process for transfer of heat from a heat source to a heat sink wherein the compositions of the present invention serve as heat transfer fluids.
• Said process for heat transfer comprises transferring the compositions of the present invention from a heat source to a heat sink.
• Heat transfer fluids are utilized to transfer, move or remove heat from one space, location, object or body to a different space, location, object or body by radiation, conduction, or convection.
• a heat transfer fluid may function as a secondary coolant by providing means of transfer for cooling (or heating) from a remote refrigeration (or heating) system.
• the heat transfer fluid may remain in a constant state throughout the transfer process (i.e., not evaporate or condense).
• evaporative cooling processes may utilize heat transfer fluids as well.
• a heat source may be defined as any space, location, object or body from which it is desirable to transfer, move or remove heat.
• heat sources may be spaces (open or enclosed) requiring refrigeration or cooling, such as refrigerator or freezer cases in a supermarket, building spaces requiring air-conditioning, or the passenger compartment of an automobile requiring air-conditioning.
• a heat sink may be defined as any space, location, object or body capable of absorbing heat.
• a vapor compression refrigeration system is one example of such a heat sink.
• the present invention further relates to a method of using the perfluoropolyether to maintain or improve the oil return, lubrication, or energy efficiency of the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat transfer system.
• the method comprises adding an effective amount of perfluoropolyether into the refrigeration or air-conditioning apparatus. This may be done by mixing the perfluoropolyether with the refrigerant or heat transfer fluid compositions of this invention and then introducing the combination into the apparatus. Alternatively, this may be done by directly introducing perfluoropolyether into refrigeration or air-conditioning apparatus containing refrigerant and/or heat transfer fluid to combine in situ with the refrigerant. The resulting composition may be used in the refrigeration or air-conditioning apparatus.
• the present invention further relates to a method of using the perfluoropolyether to maintain or improve the oil return, lubrication, or energy efficiency by replacing the existing refrigerants or heat transfer fluids without changing the existing lubricants in the refrigeration or air-conditioning apparatus.
• the method comprises removing the existing refrigerant or heat transfer fluid from the refrigeration or air-conditioning apparatus without flushing out the existing lubricant.
• Said refrigeration or air-conditioning apparatus is then filled with a pre-mixed composition comprising perfluoropolyether and the refrigerant or heat transfer fluid compositions of this invention.
• compositions of the present invention may be used in stationary air-conditioning, heat pumps or mobile air-conditioning and refrigeration systems.
• Stationary air-conditioning and heat pump applications include window, ductless, ducted, packaged terminal, chillers and commercial, including packaged rooftop.
• Refrigeration applications include domestic or home refrigerators and freezers, ice machines, self-contained coolers and freezers, walk-in coolers and freezers and supermarket systems, and transport refrigeration systems.
• compositions of the present invention for example, a composition comprising a mineral oil, perfluoropolyether, and a refrigeration or heat transfer fluid selected from the group consisting of R-407C, R-422A, R-417A, R-404A, R-410A, R-507A, R-508A, and HFC-134a
• Krytox® 157FSH is sufficiently miscible with HFC refrigerants including R-134a, R-125, R-32 such that the Krytox® can be blended with the refrigerant blend and charged to the refrigeration or air conditioning apparatus as a homogeneous liquid.
• the ZeroZone commercial reach in refrigerator described above was re-fitted with a thermal expansion valve to allow it to operate with the HFC refrigerant R-404A (a blend of 44 wt. % of HFC-125, 52 wt. % of HFC-143a and 4 wt. % of HFC-134a) and Suniso 4GS mineral oil.
• This refrigerator was operated at an internal box temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit while energy consumption was monitored.
• the test was conducted with the refrigerator in a constant temperature room that was controlled at a constant temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. During a three-hour test period the power consumption of the refrigerator was measured to be at a rate of 22.65 Kilowatt hours per day.
• the Test set up described in example 6 above was modified by removing the refrigerant charge, and re-charging with a mixture of refrigerant R-404A and Suniso 4GS mineral oil which contained 0.2% by weight, relative to the refrigerant charge, of Krytox® 157 FSH.
• the test chamber was stabilized again at 90 degrees, and the refrigerator was allowed to operate. Over a three-hour period the internal box temperature was maintained at 37.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
• the average power use by the refrigerator during this test period was measured to be at a rate of 21.83 Kilowatt hours per day. This was 3.6% less power usage than was measured in Example 6, when no Krytox® was in the refrigerant.
• Boundary Layer Lubrication tests were run using a FALEX Pin on vee-block test geometry, according to test protocol based on the ASTM 2670-95 Load to Failure test method.
• a rotating steel pin was squeezed between two standard blocks of aluminum metal.
• the aluminum blocks were made with vee shaped notches in them, and they were mounted in a bracket such that the vee notches contacted the steel pin.
• the pin and block assembly was immersed in a pan of lubricant and a motor coupled through a torque meter rotated the pin.
• the blocks were adjusted to lightly contact the surface of the rotating pin at a low load of 250-pounds pressure for an initial run-in period of five minutes.
• the force load applied to the blocks was then increased slowly at a steady rate of 200 more pounds each minute by a mechanical tightener that squeezed the rotating pin between the two vee blocks.
• the load was increased to some predetermined limit, or until a mechanical failure of one of the test pieces occurred.
• pure Suniso 4GS mineral oil the test failed within the first minute, while the mechanical load on the pin and block assembly was only 250 lb.
• this test was repeated with a mixture of 0.5% by weight of Krytox® 157 FSL dispersed in the Suniso 4GS mineral oil, the test continued to run for 9 minutes, during which time the mechanical load had increased to a level of 2100 pounds.
• a split system Carrier heat pump was used to evaluate refrigerant and lubricant performance in air conditioning and heating modes.
• the system consisted of a condensing unit, Model 38YXA03032, and an evaporator Unit, Model FX4ANF030, and was rated at a nominal cooling capacity of 2 Y2 tons of cooling with R410A.
• the system was operated inside of a dual chamber psychrometric chamber, with one chamber regulated at outdoor conditions per standard ARI 210/240 Cooling A test conditions, and the other chamber regulated at Cooling A indoor test conditions.
• This unit was also modified so that the compressor could be changed from the standard R410A rated compressor to a compressor sized for operation with R407C.
• runs 1,2, and 3 were made using the R-410A compressor. Runs 4, 5, 6, and 7 were made with the R-407C compressor.
• the copper tubing in the evaporator and condenser coils of this air conditioning system came from the factory with a feature called “internally enhanced heat transfer surfaces”, a feature which is generally known and used throughout the industry.
• This feature includes fine grooves cut in a spiral or cross hatch pattern on the inside surface of the tube. These grooves cause disruption of the laminar flow layers near the tube surface. The result of this disruption is believed to be improved heat transfer from the evaporating refrigerant within the copper tubes to the tubes themselves and the attached fins that comprise the evaporator unit. Heat transfer to the air flowing through the fins of the evaporator is believed to be thereby improved, with the creation of a more energy efficient air conditioning or heating process.
• the use of internally enhanced tube surfaces is well known and widely applied within the air conditioning and heat pump industries. Most higher efficiency systems employ enhanced surface tubing in evaporators and condensers.
• the lubricant 3GS is a commercial naphthenic mineral oil available from Sonneborn, Inc.
• the mineral oil lubricant is not miscible with HFC refrigerants.

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